Leak-proof carton



Oct. 25, 1966 l. M. KoLTz ETAL LEAK-PROOF CARTON 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 2l, 1964 VENTRS l. Morton KOLTZ Jack B. RUZEN WLM/MM- ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1966 l. M. KoL'rz ETAL LEAK-PROOF CARTON I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 21, 1964 NVENTORS l. Morton KOLTZ .lack B. ROZEN A TTORNEY Oct. 25, 1966 l. M. KOLTZ ETAL.

LEAK-PROOF CARTON :s sheets-sheet s l Filed Sept. 2l. 1964 INVENTORS l. Morton KOLTZ .luck B. ROZEN M fm1 TTRNEY United States Patent O 3,281,048 LEAK-PROOF CARTON Irving Morton Koltz, Montreal, Quebec, and Jack B. Rozen, Chomedey, Quebec, Canada, assgnors to POP Design Consultants of Canada Ltd., Montreal, Quebec, Canada Filed Sept. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 397,703 6 Claims. (Cl. 229-17) This invention pertains to an improved carton including a novel closure which is readily adapted for reclosing after a portion of the carton contents have been dispensed.

The prior art is replete with various types of reclosable cartons; some particularly `adapted for dispensing liquids, however, the prior art cartons have not generally afforded the novel features comprising the objects of the present invention.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel blank for a reclosable carton which is substantially rectangular and minimizing waste of material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel blank for a carton of the character mentioned above which forms `a foldable-flat tube after being assembled -to require a minimum of shipping and storage space.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide -a novel reclosure assembly for a carton for fluent material, in which a pouring spout portion initially provides a closure iiap and subsequently functions as lock means when the carton is reclosed.

These together with other and more specific objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment when taken in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

FIGURE l is a plan view of the novel blank from which the novel carton is produced, an intermediate portion of the blank being broken away;

FIGURE 2 is a yperspective view of a carton assembled and erected from lthe blank of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section, taken substantially on the plane of line 3--3 of FIGURE 2, with an intermediate portion of the carton broken away;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line 4-4 of FIGURE 2, i.e., at right angles to the section of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the plane of line 5 5 of FIGURE 2, i.e., looking at the undersurface of the closure assembly of the closed carton;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view showing the position assumed by the parts of the upper closure assembly after the carton is opened;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view showing the carton in a pouring position and illustrating by phantom lines the relative position of a users hand and fingers;

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the carton of FIGURE 7, showing generally the position of a users fingers in phantom lines, and illustrating by direction arrow the pressure exerted by the iiuent material being poured, and showing by a dotted direction arrow how carton reclosure is initiated as well as control of material being poured;

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of the open top closure assembly, i.e., as the carton is being -reclosed from the lcondition shown in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE l0 is a fragmentary perspective view showing how the pouring spout serves as a lock during carton reclosure;

FIGURE ll is a fragmentary perspective view showing the carton reclosed; and

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary vertical section taken Patented Oct. 25, 1966 "ice substantially on the pl-ane of line 12-12 of FIGURE l1 and showing by phantom lines how the parts assume the condition of FIGURE l() and eventually assume the position shown by solid lines.

This invention is particularly adapted for use when pouring iiuent materials, i.e., milk, soap powders, etc., however, the invention is disclosed and described for purposes of illustration and not limitation.

Referring to FIGURE l, a substantially rectangular, plan-ar blank is indicated generally at 10 which is produced from any suitable paperboard material or the like; suitably waxed, coated with plastic, etc., for containing iluids, powders, etc.

The blank 10 will produce a container having a rectangular cross-section, however, it is within the purview of the invention to use the novel closure assembly on cartons of other shapes; for example, square or with curved sides, etc.

The blank 10, in the exemplary embodiment, comprises pairs of alternately disposed walls 12, 14 and 16, 18 connected by mutually parallel fold lines 20, 22 and 24.

The walls 12-18 include a lower, segment-al marginal fold line comprising colinear portions 26, 38, 30 and 32, respectively, hingedly connecting closure iiaps 34, 36, 38 and 40 of a bottom closure lassembly 42 to said walls.

The bottom closure assembly 42 is illustrated as being the same as the upper closure assembly of the carton (as will subsequently be described in detail), however, other types of bottom closure assemblies may be used with the novel closure assembly.

The walls 12, 16, 14 and 18 are respectively bordered at the upper ends thereof by segmental upper marginal fold lines 44, 46, 48 and 50; the walls 12, 14 are conveniently described as side walls and the walls 16 and 18 are conveniently described as end walls. Hingedly connected to the fold lines 44-50 is a top closure assembly indicated generally at 52. The assembly 52 comprises a combined spot-forming-and-closure llap panel indicated generally at 54, a iirst end closure panel 56, a closure panel 58, and -a second end-closure panel 60.

r The flap 40, wall 18 and end-closure panel 60 include a free, linear side margin comprising portions 62, 64, and 66, respectively, which the fold lines 32 and 50 define. The flap 34, wall 12 and end closure panel 56 include a linear, side marginal fold line -comprising portions 68, 70 and 72. Hingedly connected tothe fold lines 6'8, 70 and 72 is a gum of glue panel assembly 73 including first glue-flap panels 74, 76 and 78, respectively, which are respectively deiiued by colinear, segmental side marginal fold lines 80, 82 and 84, respectively. Hingedly connected to the fold lines 80, 82 and 84 are second elongated glue-flap panels 86, 88 and 90, respectively. The adjacent panels 74, 86 'and 78, 90 may conveniently include not-ches 92 and 94, respectively, which facilitate assembly of the blank.

The glue panel assembly will lbe folded and secured -to a portion indicated gener-ally at 95, i.e., extending parallel to 'and the entire height of the blank; see Figure 5, for example. 'Ilhe panels S6, 88 and 490 will have a coat of adhesive on both sides rthereof in order to form the side edge seam of .the .assembled blank. When .the blank is assembled, and not closed or erected, the blank will be formed into a foldable-flat Itube which can be stored or shipped in a condition to occupy a minimum amount of space.

Although |the Iglue-.panel assembly 73 is Vshown as attached to the panels of flaps 34, 54 and wall 12, it' should in the art that the alternately disposed pairs of walls 12-18 can `be rearranged, ie., wall 18 and ilaps attached thereto could be formed at the extreme lett of the blank and the glue flap or panel assembly 73 could .appear at the left hand portion of the blank. This altennate arrangement (not shown) is readily apparent to those -slcilled in the arr-tV and a specific showing thereof is apparently unnecessary.

Specic details of the erection of the bottom closure assembly 42 will not be described, particularly since it is essentially identical .toV the top closure :assembly 52. Further, itis apparent to those skilled in the -art that other types of bottom closure assemblies can be used on containers including a top closure assembly 52 of the character to be presently described. Y

The Itopi closure assembly 52 includes, as previously mentioned, the combined spoutforming-andclosure flap panel 54, iirst rand second closure panels 56 and flanking the second closure panel 58.

rIlhe panel 58 includes a convenient ngentab 96; the function of which is to subsequently be described. The panel 58 is anked at opposite sides by Iside marginal fold lines 498 and 100 which terminate at 102 'and i104 at .the respective ends of the segmental fold line 48. Disposed adjacent 'to the 4fold lines 98 and 100 are adhesivereceiving strips 106 and .'108, respectively 4formed by angular, score or fold line margins 110 and 112, respectively, originating from the ends 102 and 104 at the intersection of fold lines 98 and 100 with the fold line 48. The fold lines 1|10 land 112 terminate in fve-ntical die-cuts 1|14 and 116 extending into the rupper margins of the blank 'and form at opposite e-nds of the panel 58 tabs or segments 118 and 120 hingedly connected .to the panel 58 by the respective fold lines 98 and 100 and the angular fold lines 110 and 11'2.

The panel 58, .tabs 118 `and |120 form with flaps or panels 56 and 60 a gusset panel construction which, in the assembled canton, will .res-ult in automatic opening and closing of the carton or container as the panel is pvoted about hinge line 48; see FIGURES 7-11, for example.

The walls 16 and 17 have respectively hingedly or foldably connected at the fold lines 46 and 50 the closure laps respectively having one side margin defined byy angular lfold line 1110 'and die-cut margin 114 and angular fold line 112 and die-cut margin 1=16, respectively.

The spout-forming-and-closure ilap panel 54 includes a side marginal fold line 122, parallel to the opposed side marginal 72; the fold line 122 forming the adjacent side margin of the rst Vclosure panel 56. When the container or carton is assembled, fold line 72 will be disposed adjacent free margin 66, since the glue panel segments 78, 90 will adhere -to portion 95 on Vthe second closure panel 60.

The panel 54 includes angularly disposed, converging fold lines 124 and 126, respectively extending'from the 4terminal end 128 of .the fold lline 44 and the intersection of fold line 122 therewith, and end 130 at the other end of the fold line 44 .and the intersection of fold line 72 therewith. The fold -lines 124, .1,26 intersect at 132; terminating at the free upper margin '134 of panel 54.

The fold line 44 together with fold lines 124, 126 form an isosceles .triangular segment which comprises the bottom 136 of a pouring spout as will be described, and portions 124, 126 are hypotenuse sides of right triangular segments to be described.

In order .to facilitate reclosure of the assembled oontainer, the triangular base includes a transverse, intermediate segmental, fold line 138 intersecting intermediate portionsV of the fold lines 124 land 126 at points 140 and 142, respectively. Extending vertically trom points 140 and .142, and extending into the free margin 134, are segmental fold lines i144 and 146. Y

The fold lines 138 and upper portions 124 and 126' of the fold lines 124 and 126, respectively, form an isosceles triangular base 136'. The fold lines 124', 144 and free margin portion 134 and the fold lines 1-26, 146

and free marginal portion i134 form right triangular panel segments 137, 139, respectively. The segments 137 and 139 comprise .a combined area equal to that of the isosceles triangular segment or base 136 and will be foldable, in the assembled container, during reclosures on the fold lines 138 and fold lines 144, 146 (which will o'veIlie the -fold line t 138 as seen, for example, in FIGURES l0 and l2).

Additionally, the spout base 136, ie., isosceles triangular ba-se, will have overlying the same when the carton is assembled, the right triangular segment dei-ined by fold lines 122, 1124 and free edge portion extending from point 132 to the upper portion of told line 122 and identified generally at 141, and the right triangular segment dened by fold lline 72, 126 and the free margin extending from point 132 to the right to the upper portion of fold line 7-2 and indicated generally at 143. The upper free edge margins of the right triangular segments 141, 143 comprise an area equal to that of the base I136 and the respective free edges 145 and 147 thereof, during carton assembly, will be disposed in close proximity and parallel relation to each other; see FIGURE 1l, disposed normal or -at night angles to the fold Iline 44 and bisecting the spout base 136, note the hypotenuse of segments 137, 137 is the fold lines 124, 126, respectively.

The right triangular segments 137 and 139, respectively, include, for purposes of initial closure and assembly, Suitable adhesive portions 137 and 139', respectively, which will be in proximate relationship when the carton is initially closed and assembled.

Erection of the blank The blank is formed as -a rectangular tube by applying a suitable adhesive to,l both sides of glue flap segments 86, 88, 90, and thereafter the segments 74 and 86, 76 and 88, and 78 and 90 are folded into overlying, adhered Closure of the container After the bottom closure assembly 42 is sealed, the panels 56, 60 and 54, 58 will be in coplanar relation to walls 16, 18 and 12, 14; it being noted the corners of the erected tubular container Will comprise colinear fold lines 70 and 72, 20 and 122, 22 and 98, and 24 and 100.

Panels 56 and 60 Will be pushed inwardly toward each other for ultimate opposed coplanar relation; see FIG- URES 4, 5v and 9, for example. As the panels 56 and 60 are moved inwardly toward, since they are respectively connected to by fold lines and 112 to panel segments 118 and 120, these panel segments 118 and 120 will bew drawn inwardly over the top of the container which has been filled with a pourable product. The panel segments 118 and 120 through the hinged connection at fold lines 98 and 100, respectively, at opposite ends of panel 58 cause the panel 58 to be drawn into overlying' relation to the inwardly folded panels 56 and 60. The angular fold lines 110 and 112 thus form a gusset panel fold between the respective adjacent panel segments, 56, 118 and 60, 120 which will be disposed beneath the inner surface of the panel 58 and in juxtaposed relation to each other in the closed container; see FIGURES 3, 4 and 10, for example.

When panels 56 and 60 are moved inwardly toward each other, right triangular segments 141 and 143, through the fold lines 122 and 72, are moved into overlying relation upon the triangular base 136 and are juxtaposed upon the same. Edges and 147 as well as free edges 145 and 147 at the upper edges of panels 56 and 60, respectively, will be disposed in parallel, confronting relation.

The adhesive strip areas 106 and 10S (manually separable adhesive) of segments 118 and 120 will adhere to areas 106 and 10S on the respective panels 56 and 60 parallel to and extending along the fold lines 46 and 50.

Next, the triangular spout comprising base 136 and right triangular panels 141 and 143 are folded at fold lines 44 and 72, 122 (which now overlie fold line 44) and folded onto panel 58; the adhesive portions (manually separable) adhere to the outer Surface of panel S8.

The carton `or container closure assembly is now closed and sealed.

Opening of container The triangular spout, as seen in FIGURE 2, is pulled upwardly and this detaches adhesive portions 137 and 139 from the upper surface of panel 58. The panel 58 is then pulled upwardly, and through the gusset panels 120, 60 and 118, 56, the right triangular segments 143, 141 are pulled upwardly to form an upper guide partition overlying base 136; see FIGURES 6 and 7, for example. The amount of material being dispensed or poured can be controlled, to a certain degree, by the angular orientation of panel 58, i.e., from a full open position as seen in FIGURE 8, to a lesser degree of opening, as seen in FIGURE 7, for example.

Reclosure of container To reclose the container, the panel 58 will now become the outermost panel. As the panel 58 is folded inwardly in the direction indicated by the dotted direction arrow of FIGURE 8, the gusset panels 118, 56 and 120, 60 fold into overlying relationship as mentioned regarding initial closing of the carton. At this time, the triangular panel segment 136' and right triangular segments 137 and 139 which overlie the same, are bent angularly at fold lines 54 and 144, 146, respectively, and the terminal pointed end of the spout is inserted beneath panel 58 and above panel segments 118 and 120; see FIGURES l0 and l2. Finally, the spout is moved into planar relation beneath the panel 58 as clearly seen in FIGURE ll.

The container can be reopened by pulling upwardly on tab 96 and the panel 58 will in a sense automatically open the reclosed top, for subsequent dispensing of the remaining carton contents.

The present invention provides a container produced from an integral blank with a minimum waste of stock material. The container can be readily assembled and stored. The closure lfor the container is readily adapted for the storage of uids, such as milk, oil, etc., and cornprises a pouring spout facilitating dispensing as well as a reclosure of the container to thus protect from contamination the remaining contents ofthe container.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the specific description of this exemplary embodiment of carton or container is merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore, the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed:

1. In a blank comprising a one-piece planar element having cut-and-scored portions and including pairs of alternately disposed walls;

a closure assembly hingedly connected to a marginal fold line bordering one end of said walls,

said closure assembly comprising combined spoutforming-and-closure flap means, a rst end closure flap means, :a closure ap means, and a second end closure flap means,

said closure liap means including hinge line portions iianking adjacent end portions thereof for forming Va tube when said blank is assembled,

said combined spout-forming-'and-closure ap means comprising a triangular spout forming portion extending from said marginal fold line and a pair of triangular segments anking the same and hingedly connected thereto and flanking fold line portions of said blank, said triangular spout forming portion comprising an isoceles triangular base extending the entire length of said marginal fold line, said triangular areas having a hypotenuse extending along a leg lar areas having a hypotenuse extending along a leg 0f said isosceles triangular base, one leg of said right triangular segments coinciding with -a respective flanking fold line hingedly connecting the respective right triangular segments to said flanking fold line portions, said is-osceles base including an intermediate transverse fold line portion parallel to saidl marginal fold line and terminating in angular opposite ends of said base, said right triangular segments including intermediate fold line portions normal to said intermediate transverse fold line portion in said isosceles =base and forming secondary triangular segments flanking a secondary triangular base formed by said intermediate, transverse fold line portion.

2. In a blank as claimed in claim 1 in which said rst and second end closure flap means and said combined spout-forming-and-closure flap means includes adhesivereceiving portions for retaining said carton formed from said blank in an initially sealed condition.

3. In a reclosable container formed by a one-piece blank and comprising a plurality of walls hingedly connected to form a tube, yfirst closure means hingedly connected to said walls, and a second closure assembly hingedly connected to coplanar marginal fold lines of said walls, said closure assembly comprising a rst and second end closure flaps disposed in opposed relation, at opposite sides of said container, a closure panel dispose-d between said end closure panels and hingedly connected to said marginal fold line, gusset panel means hingedly connected between terminal end portions of said third closure panel and said end closure flaps, and a combined spout-forming and closure flap means hingedly connected to said marginal fold line, said combined closure ilap means comprising a triangilar closure panel foldably connected to said gusset panel means and foldable onto land beneath said closure panel, said combined closure ap means including a secondary foldable portion comprising an isosceles triangle, flanked by a pair of right angle triangular segments at t-he terminal end of said combined closure flap means for facilitating insertion of said combined closure ilap means beneath said closure flap and above a portion of said gusset panel means.

4. In a reclosable container as claimed in claim 3 in which said triangular ibase panel is lan isosceles triangle having a base terminating at said rst and second closure flaps, and right triangular panel segments having a combined area equal in area to said isosceles triangular base panel and hingedly connected -at respective hypotenuse portions to angular sides of said base panel, said right triangular panel segments being respectively hingedly connected along one leg to said gusset panel means.

5. In a reclosable container as claimed in claim 3 in which said gusset panel means and said combined closure flap means include adhesive receiving portions facilitating initial sealing of said container, said combined closure flap means being secured in overlying relation on said closure panel.

6. In a blank comprising a one-piece planar element having cut-and-scored portions and including pair-s of alternately disposed walls;

a closure :assembly hingedly connected to a marginal fold line bordering one end of said walls, said closure assembly comprising a combined spout forming and closure ap means, a rst end closure ap means, a closure flap means, and a second end closure ap means, said closure ap means including hinge line portions flanking adjacent end portions thereof for forming a tube when said blank is assembled;

said end closure flap means including gusset panel portions hingedly connected to theV opposite ends of said third-mentioned closure flap means, said gusset panel portions comprising an :angular fold line portion extending from a lower terminal corner of said third-mentioned closure flap means and terminating in a cut line portion extending away from the marginal fold lines of sai-d closure Vflap means into a free edge portion of said blank.

References Cited by the Examiner vUNITED STATES PATENTS 10 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Examiner. 

3. IN A RECLOSABLE CONTAINER FORMED BY A ONE-PIECE BLANK AND COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF WALL HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO FORM A TUBE, FIRST CLOSURE MEANS HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID WALLS, AND A SECOND CLOSURE ASSEMBLY HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO COPLANAR MARGINAL FOLD LINES OF SAID WALLS, SAID CLOSURE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FIRST AND SECOND END CLOSURE FLAPS DISPOSED IN OPPOSED RELATION, AT OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID CONTAINER, A CLOSURE PANEL DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID END CLOSURE PANELS AND HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID MARGINAL FOLD LINE, GUSSET PANEL MEANS HINGEDLY CONNECTED BETWEEN TERMINAL END PORTIONS OF SAID THIRD CLOSURE PANEL AND SAID END CLOSURE FLAPS, AND A COMBINED SPOUT-FORMING AND CLOSURE FLAP MEANS HINDEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID MARGINAL FOLD LINE, SAID COMBINED CLOSURE FLAP MEANS COMPRISING A TRIANGULAR CLOSURE PANEL FOLDABLY CONNECTED TO SAID GUSSET PANEL MEANS AND FOLDABLE ONTO AND BENEATH SAID CLOSURE PANEL, SAID COMBINED CLOSURE FLAP MEANS INCLUDING A SECONDARY FOLDABLE PORTION COMPRISING AN ISOSCELES TRIANGLE, FLANKED BY A PAIR OF RIGHT ANGLE TRIANGULAR SEGMENTS AT THE TERMINAL END OF SAID COMBINED CLOSURE FLAP MEANS FOR FACILITATING INSERTION OF SAID COMBINED CLOSURE FLAP MEANS BENEATH SAID CLOSURE FLAP AND ABOVE A PORTION OF SAID GUSSET PANEL MEANS. 